ASIS Toronto Women in Security event builds on theme of empowerment

The Toronto chapter of ASIS International recently held its annual Women in Security (WIS) event, addressing the central theme of empowerment.

The event featured speakers who discussed everything from building your own brand to managing expectations in yourself and others.

Jillian Robinson, manager of loss prevention at Sephora, spoke about her career trajectory, and her ability to adjust her expectations and ultimately find a role that fulfilled her professional ambitions.

At the beginning of her career, with the goal of becoming a police officer, Robinson accepted a role in corrections. Robinson said she enjoyed the challenges of corrections, but a hiring freeze halted the possibility of a long-term position. Her back-up plan was a role in make-up, which led her to personal care and beauty product retailer Sephora, where she worked while still attending school. She initially joined the company as a beauty advisor but discovered Sephora’s loss prevention program, which combined Robinson’s passions. Robinson joined the LP team, advanced quickly through the ranks and accepted her current managerial role in 2021.

Suzanna Alsayed, founder and CEO of marketing and web development agency Evolutz, also talked about her professional journey and the value of persistence. Alsayed founded Evolutz just over three years ago to help security companies and professionals elevate their brand. Combining her years of corporate management experience and desire to establish her own businesses, she launched Evolutz, and before that consulting firm Hilt International Security.

The pandemic gave her time to build her businesses, she said, but she was still putting in very long hours, working a day job from 9-5, then switching over to her own companies for another eight hours. It’s a question of carving out the time to pursue your goals, she said. While 16-hour days are not plausible for many people, there are countless hours spent watching TV or on social media that could be reclaimed and channeled into achieving personal or professional goals, she said. “I have empowered myself and others to see the bigger picture,” she said. “Make a plan. Sometimes it is that simple.”

Two years ago, Alsayed quit her day-job to focus on her companies. She is also currently working towards a PhD and is about to publish a book, One Failure at a Time: A Modern Survival Guide. In 2021, Alsayed received Canadian Security’s Emerging Leader Award.

The WIS event also featured presentations from Rebecca Higgins, a mental health educator and author, and motivational speaker Roger Caesar.

The ASIS Toronto chapter is currently supporting Native Family & Child Services of Toronto to aid victims of human trafficking. Support can be provided by dropping off essential items or with a cash donation. Visit the ASIS Toronto NFCST website for details.